Sinister: Things couldn't've gone much worse

[It's me!]

Needless to say I'd been looking forward to seeing B&S for a long time.
This may have been part of the problem. I got to Metro a little _too_
early for my own good.

If you know me (and few of you do) you know that my passion is recording
the concerts I go to. I've been doing it longer than some of you have
been walking. This is a hobby that is completely harmless because I
don't allow my tapes to go to anyone but the band and occasionally
people I've come to trust implicitly. Many musicians around the world
are very happy with what I do, but that doesn't mean a thing to folks
who don't know me. And occasionally my stupidity from the distant past
comes back to haunt me.

When I got to Metro I immediately found out from Neil that the band
didn't want any taping. OK, that's fine. Maybe I could explain my
situation in detail to Stuart, and maybe he might let me record the
show. You see, there have been a few times where a tour manager has said
"no" when the band would've given an enthusiastic "yes."
So I went upstairs to where soundcheck was taking place ("Seeing Other
People" about eight times, "Chickfactor," and one I didn't recognise) to
give Isobel a get-well gift and wait to talk to Stuart.

The fellow who was stage managing was not to happy about my being there
(I've never done anything to cause him grief), but Neil was very kind.
He said that Metro wanted to toss me, but he told them to at least allow
me to see the show. He could tell that I was a fan and didn't think that
I should miss out simply because I wanted to record and got there early.

When the stage manager asked if I had a ticket I said no because I was
fortunate enough to know Matthew and Anthony from the Momus camp who put
me on the guest list. Usually that's no big deal with Metro and me. I
get there early regularly to set up my mics. It's much harder to do so
after the doors have opened.

Toward the end of B&S' soundcheck one of the new Metro goons (the
security has a high turn over) asked me if I had a pass. I said no and
followed with, "who does?" Well apparently others did (I didn't see
any), and this was reason enough for me to have to wait outside. OK,
fine. I'll come in with everyone else and see if I can talk to Stuart
then.

After a half hour waiting in line with some of my friends, I was told
that I was not to be allowed into the venue at all. Apparently the owner
heard about what happened, he decided that I wasn't gonna even get to
see the show.

I continued to wait outside to thank Neil for sticking up for my love
for the band. He had no idea I was not going to be allowed in. I don't
know if he continued to try to get me in, but he was most kind to say
that he'd try. I think we both knew it was a lost cause.

There was a time (nearly ten years ago!) that I had a problem with the
management at Metro, but I thought it was all water under the bridge at
this point. They just wanted to make my life miserable; and, in a sense,
they did. I feel very fortunate that I was able to witness soundcheck at
the very least and to cheer up Isobel a little. But now I'll probably
have to wait for years before I get the opportunity to see them again.
This was worse than if they cancelled *sigh*

Basically I'm just sayin' Metro is bad. They have a good reputation in
the industry, but there was no reason for me to be banned from the show.
I hope everyone else had a good time.

Aadam

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